Saphenous vein or PTFE for femoropopliteal bypass. A prospective randomized trial

To evaluate the patency of PTFE (Gore-tex) as a femoropopliteal bypass, a prospective randomized trial was performed between PTFE and saphenous vein. Forty-nine consecutive patients with intermittent claudication, rest pain, or tissue loss due to an occlusion of the superficial femoral artery entered the study. Randomization between PTFE and saphenous vein was performed at the time of operation after assessment of the quality of the latter. The two groups did not differ significantly regarding stage of peripheral ischemia, outflow tract, or localization of the distal anastomosis. The patency rate 6 weeks after operation was 92% for each group. After a mean follow-up of 54 months, the patency rate for the PTFE group was 37% and 70% for the saphenous vein group (p less than 0.001). In the PTFE group, there were eight major amputations. No amputations were performed in the saphenous vein group. It is concluded from this study that the saphenous vein is by far superior to PTFE as a femoropopliteal bypass.